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DOS Suspends Issuance of Immigrant Visas From 75 Countries
Jan. 15, 2026—Effective January 21, 2026, the Department of State is pausing issuance of immigrant visas for applicants who are nationals of certain countries. This pause applies only to immigrant visas for permanent residency processed through U.S. consulates and does not affect nonimmigrant visas, including B, F, J, or H categories. The Department of State will continue...
Pause in Diversity Lottery Program
Jan. 15, 2026—Diversity visa issuance and related adjustment approvals are temporarily paused while additional security reviews are conducted. The visa lottery provides a limited number of immigrant visas each year to those from countries with low U.S. immigration rates. No approvals will be issued during this pause. Find more information here.
Visa Bonds Expanded Impacting Families and Short-Term Academic Visits
Jan. 15, 2026—The Department of State expanded the visa bond program for certain nationalities, including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Nigeria, for B-1/B-2 visas only. While F/J students and scholars are not impacted, the policy may affect family visits and short-term academic travel. The additional requirements, including financial bonds, increase cost and complexity.
USCIS Announces Creation of Centralized Vetting Center
Jan. 15, 2026—On Dec. 5th, USCIS announced a new Vetting Center to centralize and enhance screening of immigration applications, including expanded background checks and interagency review. This may add scrutiny and longer processing times for immigration benefits. The change follows broader shifts in USCIS adjudication practices, including the elimination of the USCIS Ombudsman’s case-assistance role.
DHS Finalizes H-1B ‘Weighted Selection Rule’ Without Changes
Jan. 15, 2026—DHS issued a final rule replacing the random H-1B cap lottery with a weighted, wage-based selection process, as proposed. Higher-wage registrations will receive greater selection weight, which may reduce selection chances for recent graduates and entry-level professionals at cap-subject employers. Find VU’s comment here and more info here.
Additional USCIS Review For Applications Filed By Those From Countries Subject To Travel Ban
Jan. 15, 2026—A new USCIS policy memo allows additional review and potential holds on certain pending immigration applications from countries subject to the travel ban. For affected students and scholars, this may result in longer processing times or additional vetting for changes of status and work authorization. ISSS is monitoring implementation and will share updates.
USCIS Reduces Validity Period from 5 Years to 18 Months for Several EAD Categories, Including AOS EADs
Dec. 18, 2025—USCIS announced that it will issue EAD cards for only 18 months, reduced from five years, for applicants in several categories, including EADs issued to applicants with pending adjustment applications. Combined with the rescission of automatic extensions announced in October, this shortened validity period may cause interruptions in work authorization due to protracted USCIS processing times.
Social Media Vetting Expanded to H-1B/H-4
Dec. 18, 2025—The State Department has expanded social media vetting to include H-1B and H-4 visa applicants. As of December 15, 2025, all applicants for H-1B and H-4 visas will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all social media profiles to “public” for their visa appointments. In the wake of this plan, we are receiving reports that...
Public Charge Under Review: What to Know
Dec. 15, 2025—On November 19, 2025, USCIS published a proposed rule to rescind the public charge regulation in effect since December 2022. If finalized, the rule would return public charge determinations to a case-by-case assessment based on statutory factors, including age, health, family status, financial resources, and education. This gives immigration officers broader discretion and may allow...
DHS Ends Automatic EAD Extensions for Many Categories
Dec. 15, 2025—On Oct. 30, DHS ended the automatic 540-day extension of many Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for renewal. Applicants must now wait for USCIS approval before work authorization continues. This rule does not affect STEM OPT or TPS extensions. Since this took effect as an Interim Final Rule without a comment period, it may face legal challenges and could...
USCIS Pauses Adjudications for 19 Countries of Concern
Dec. 10, 2025—December 2, 2025 – Citing national security concerns following the recent attack in DC, a USCIS memo indicated it will pause adjudicating benefit applications for individuals from the 19 countries listed in the Presidential Proclamation 10949 while it conducts a review. USCIS has stated that this may apply to both immigrant and nonimmigrant benefit requests and could include...
DHS Proposes Significant Expansion of Biometric Data Collection and Use
Dec. 10, 2025—On November 3, 2025 DHS proposed expanding biometric data collection to include palm prints, facial and voice recognition, eye scans, and DNA. If finalized, the rule would require ongoing screening for foreign nationals with immigration benefits and extend collection to certain U.S. citizens and those under 14. You can read the proposed rule here, and...
USCIS Clarifies $100,000 H-1B Fee
Dec. 10, 2025—On October 20, 2025, USCIS issued guidance clarifying the September 19 Presidential Proclamation, “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigration Workers.” Valid H-1B holders abroad and most change of status, amendment, or extension petitions are exempt from the $100,000 fee. However, questions still remain. You can find an FAQ here. If you have any questions, please...
Proposed Weighted Selection Process for H-1B Visas
Dec. 10, 2025—On September 24, 2025 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed replacing the H-1B lottery with a wage-based system favoring higher-paid, higher-skilled workers. Cap-exempt institutions like VU are not directly affected, but it could impact international graduates and early career professionals. Vanderbilt University submitted a public comment which you can read here. To read more...
DHS Proposed Rule – Updates to Forms I-17 and I-20
Dec. 10, 2025—On September 3, 2025 DHS proposed major revisions to Forms I-17 and I-20 to expand reporting requirements for schools and students. Examples include more data on ownership, enrollment, delivery methods, degree conferral dates, and CPT. You can find more information about the proposed changes here.
DHS Proposed Rule: Ending Duration of Status (D/S) for F and J Visas
Dec. 10, 2025—On August 25, 2025, DHS proposed a rule to end Duration of Status (D/S) for F and J visa holders. NAFSA has released an explainer document you can read for more details on this proposed rule. On September 29, 2025, Vanderbilt University submitted submitted a formal comment to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security expressing our...
USCIS Guidance on Discretionary Factors and Social Media Vetting
Dec. 10, 2025—On August 19, 2025, USCIS announced policy manual updates on how officers apply discretionary factors in benefit requests. The changes address compliance with immigration laws, past parole requests, national security concerns, and expand social media vetting. This applies to pending and new cases. For more information, please refer to this summary from Ogletree Deakins.
Visa Updates – Social Media Vetting, Visa Reciprocity Updates, and New Visa Integrity Fee
Dec. 10, 2025—Since early summer 2025, there have been several updates to the visa process. Please see a summary of those updates below. ISSS also hosted an International Travel Webinar in November 2025 which highlights several of these updates. You can view the recording to the webinar here. As always, contact us with questions. Visa Wait Times...
Presidential Proclamation 10949 – Travel Ban Impacting 19 Countries
Dec. 10, 2025—As of June 9, 2025 Presidential Proclamation 10949 established a travel ban on 19 countries – fully banning entry from 12 and partially restricting B, F, M, J, and immigrant visas from 7 others. Those inside the U.S. on June 9, 2025 or holding valid visas as of that date, are not impacted. At Vanderbilt University, Iran has the...